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United States Patent O 3,468,320 SECTIONAL DISHWASHING MACHINE AND STRUCTURAL UNITS John Cumming, Oak Park, Ill., assigner to G. S. Blakeslee & Co., Cicero, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 23, 1966, Ser. No. 574,427 Int. Cl. B081) 3/02 U.S. Cl. 134--46 4 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A dishwashing machine comprising one or more modules, removably mounted track sections in the modules, and removably mounted upper and lower spray boxes in the modules. In a ight conveyor type machine, there is provided conveyor emergency stop means at the unloading end of the conveyor. In a rack conveyor type machine, there are provided pawl bar conveyor means comprising a readily removable and reversible pawl bar and supporting means therefor, and final rinse actuating means at the delivery end of the machine.

This invention relates to commercial dishwashing machines.

Commercial dishwashers are extensively used in restaurants and analogous establishments. In general the more popular dishwashing machines are of three typesthe stationary rack or door type, the rack conveyor type and the ight conveyor type. In the stationary rack type the soiled dishes and other articles are placed in a rack or basket which is then positioned on supports within the machine, through a door opening. The door is then closed and the articles are subjected to washing and rinsing operations, by appropriate upper and lower spray means, and are then removed from the machine. In the rack conveyor type of machine the basket or rack of soiled articles is placed at one end of the machine upon tracks along which it is moved by a pawl bar or other suitable means, between upper and lower spray means, and is removed at the other end of the machine. In the iiight conveyor type the dishes and other articles are inserted, at one end of the machine, between the flights or links of an endless conveyor by which they are moved between the ights or links of an endless conveyor by which they are moved between various sets or pairs of upper and lower spray means so as to be subjected to washing and rinsing operations. The washed articles are usually subjected to a nal hot water rinse as they approach the other end of tfhe machine, where they are removed from the conveyor.

The three types of machines above mentioned usually differ materially as to size and shape, the ight conveyor type being of substantially greater length than either of the other two. The internal structure of the flight type of dishwasher in respect to spray systems, risers and related features is quite diterent from that of the rack conveyor type. Also, in both the flight conveyor type and the rack type of machines, as presently constructed, a variety of bulky and expensive castings lare required. Under the present practice, the machines of each of the types referred to are constructed differently from those of the other types, with resultant increased cost of production. Further, in the ght conveyor type of machine the flights or dish retaining members are usually in the form of fingers, frequently termed pegs, which project outwardly beyond the runs of the conveyor a substantial distance, approximately from four to six inches. Due to the presence of such pegs, the upper run of the conveyor is spaced approximately forty inches above oor level. The standard dishtable height for dish washing machines and all other "ice types of commercial food service operations is thirty-four inches. The approximately forty inch height required for the peg type ight conveyor machine necessitates lifting of the trays of the soiled and the washed dishes from and onto the tables at the ends of the machine, which is objectionable for obvious reasons.

My invention is directed to a dishwashing machine which avoids the objections to the known machines and may be produced at substantially increased speed and substantially lower cost. It is `an important object of my invention to provide a module or section such that one or more thereof may be used as a basis for constructing any one of the three types of dishwashing machines previously mentioned-the door type, the rack conveyor type, or the ight conveyor type-thereby effecting a substantial saving in time and cost of production of such machines. A further object is the provision of pawl bar conveyor means comprising a readily removable and reversible pawl bar and supporting means therefor. It is also an object of my invention to provide improved spray boxes and means for accurately and interchangeably mounting them while also assuring leak proof connections between the spray boxes and the associated water supply means therefor. A further object is to provide, in the flight conveyor type machine, means for promptly stopping the conveyor in the event the operator at the delivery end of the machine fails to remove in good time finally washed and rinsed dishes or other articles. A further and important object of my invention is the provision of ecient linal rinse actuating means at the delivery end of the rack conveyor type of machine. Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detail description.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side view, partly broken away, of a flight conveyor type of dishwashing machine embodying my invention;

FIGURE 2 is an end view of the machine of FIGURE 1, as viewed from the feed end;

FIGURE 2a is a sectional view of one of the upper spray boxes and associated means, on an enlarged scale and partly broken away, taken substantially on line 2a-2a of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 2b is a sectional view of one of the lower spray boxes and associated means, on an enlarged scale and partly broken away, taken substantially on line 2b- 2b of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 2c is a sectional view taken substantially on line 2c-2c of FIGURE 2a;

FIGURE 3 is a side view of a rack conveyor type of dishwashing machine embodying my invention;

FIGURE 4 is a left end view of the machine of FIG- URE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 5-5 of FIGURE 1, with the lower portion shown in elevation;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 6a is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 6a-6a of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 7-7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 8 8 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 8a is a fragmentary lengthwise sectional View, on an enlarged scale, of the machine of FIGURE 4 but showing the pawl rack bar reversed relative to FIGURE FIGURE 9 is a sectional View, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 9--9 of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE l is a fragmentary perspective view of the adjacent end portions of two modules embodying my invention and associated means for securing them together and for supporting the track sections, on an enlarged scale;

FIGURE l1 is a fragmentary view, on an enlarged scale and partly in section and partly in elevation, of one of the track sections and the mounting means therefor and associated parts;

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 12-12 of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 is a detail view, on an enlarged scale and partly in section and partly in elevation and broken away, taken substantially on line 13-13 of FIGURE 1, showing the safety control means;

FIGURE 14 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 14--14 of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE l is a plan view, partly broken away, of the safety control means of FIGURES 13 and 14;

FIGURE 16 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 16--16 of FIGURE 15;

FIGURE 17 is a sectional View, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 17-17 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 18 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 18-18 of FIGURE 17;

FIGURE 19 is an end view of the nal rinse control means shown in FIGURE 18; and

FIGURE 20 is a sectional View taken substantially on line 20-20 of FIGURE 3 and on approximately the same scale, showing the final rinse means.

The main portion or body of the rack conveyor and the flight conveyor machines, respectively, constructed in accordance with my invention is formed of standardized modules or similar sections assembled and secured together endwise. Each of such sections comprises a base frame 1 and an open ended housing 2 supported thereby. The housing 2 preferably is formed of sheet stainless steel and is of rectangular cross section. It comprises a top wall 3, a continuous side wall 4 and an opposite side wall 5. The lower portion of the latter wall is offset inwardly, as shown more clearly in FIGURE 5 and is joined by a bottom wall 6 and lower end -walls 7 to side wall 4 providing therewith an upwardly opening tank.

The upper portion of the side wall 5 is provided at the ends thereof with vertical panels of channel cross section, as shown more clearly in FIGURES 7 and 10. Each of the panels 10 is provided at its lower end with an inwardly extending flange 11 which seats upon a similar flange 12 of the lower portion of side lwall 5, as shown in FIGURE 10. Each of the panels 10 is also provided at its upper end with an inwardly extending flange which seats against the under face of top wall 3, as will be understood. The panels 10 are suitably secured, conveniently by spot welding, to the top and side walls 3 and 5 of section 2 and define therewith a rectangular door opening in side wall 5.

The inner side arm of each of the panels 10 is provided with a relatively narrow inwardly turned reinforcing flange or lip 13 and with an opposed channel strip 13a. The flange 13 lits snugly, but not tightly, in a channel bead 14 at one side of a panel door 15. The flange 13 and channel strip 13a provide, in cooperation with channel beads 14 of door 15 liquid tight seals at the sides of the latter, as will be understood. The door 15 is provided at its upper edge with an inwardly extending channel element 16 which, in the normal closed position of door 15, is disposed a short distance above the outwardly extending ilange of an angle member 17 depending from top wall 3. The latter is offset inwardly between the panels 10, as will be understood. The door 15 is folded upwardly and inwardly at its lower end to provide bead 18, for reasons later explained. When the door 15 is in its normal closed position, the lower edge thereof is disposed a short distance below flange 12 of wall 5, as in FIGURE l0, and channel 16 is disposed in contacting ,4 overlapping relation to the angle member 17 cooperating therewith to prevent leakage of water or detergent washing solution. As will be understood door 15 is slidably mounted on the panels 10 for vertical movement and -when in fully closed position effectively closes the opening between them. The channel beads 14 of door 15 extend from the top thereof and seat upon ilange 12 of wall 5 and the door extends a material distance below flange 12, when it is in fully closed position. That effectively guards against leakage of water or washing solution about the door, which is desirable for obvious reasons. Closing movement of the door is limited by an angle stop 19 secured to the outer face thereof and disposed to seat on flange 12 (FIGURE l0) in the fully closed position of the door. The latter also has secured to its outer face a suitably disposed handle 20 for convenience in opening and closing it.

The top wall 3 of each of the modules or sections 2 is provided at each end thereof with a downwardly extending llange 23 of material width and the side wall 4 of each section is provided with an inwardly extending flange 24 of the same width as flanges 23 and accurately aligned and matched therewith. The outer side flanges 25 of the panels 10 are of the same width as the top end flanges 23 and are accurately aligned therewith and with end flanges 26 extending inwardly from the lower portion of side 5 above end wall 7 of tank 27, previously mentioned (FIGURES 5, 6, 7, 10 and 11). The upper edges of the end walls 7 (FIGURE 5) are accurately aligned and matched with the flanges 24 and 26 and dene therewith and with :llanges 23 rectangular end openings of the module or section 2. The tank 27 has at each side thereof an inwardly extending flange welded to a similar ange of the corresponding side wall, as shown in FIGURE 5.

Referring to FIGURES 7 and 9 to 12, inclusive, upper and lower rail section supporting brackets 30 are suitably secured, conveniently by spot welding, at their outer portions, to the inner faces of end flanges 23 of side wall 4 and of flanges 25 of panels 10. The inner portions of brackets 30 are offset from the respective flanges to which they are secured, as shown more clearly in FIGURES 10 to 12,` for a purpose to be explained later. Each of the brackets 30 is provided with two vertically aligned and spaced studs 31 projecting therefrom and away from the corresponding flange, i.e., inwardly of the module or section 2. The studs 31 preferably, but not necessarily, are cylindrical and are of a diameter or thickness to lit snugly in a downwardly opening slot 32a in a tab 32 integral with and extending outwardly from one end of an upper vertical flange 33 of a rail section 34 of substantially Z-shape in cross section. The rail section iS formed of stainless steel and comprises the upwardly extending llange 33, a horizontal track flange 35 extending inwardly from the lower edge of flange 33 and a vertical flange 36 extending downwardly from the inner edge of track flange 35. The rail section 34 may be of any suitable form within the broader aspects of my invention, as will be understood. There are two upper and two lower brackets 30 at each side of the module or section 2, with the brackets of each pair disposed in the same horizontal plane, as will be understood. The length of each rail section 34 is such that the end tabs 32 thereof seat snugly against the brackets 30 with the studs fitting tightly in slots 32a of tabs 32 and the latter seating, at the upper ends of the slots, on the upper studs 31. When the rail section 34 is so mounted it is effectively restrained against downward movement by the upper studs 31 and is also effectively restrained against looseness or twisting by the two studs 31 at each end thereof. The respective rail section may readily be removed by moving it upwardly a sufficient distance to clear the studs 31 of the end brackets 30 and may -be as readily replaced, as may be required.

An angle bracket 40 of elongated U-shape in plan is welded to the under face of llange 12 (FIGURES 5 and l) at each sidev of the door opening and extends inwardly therefrom. An angle strip 41 is welded to the brackets 40 in parallel spaced relation to side wall 5 and extends the full length of section 2 between the end fianges thereof. The angle strip 41 is aligned transversely of section or module 2 with a similar angle strip 42 (FIGURES 5 and 6) secured to the inner face of side wall 4. The strips 41 and 42 have welded thereto an assembly comprising two transverse channel bars 43 disposed in parallel spaced relation and with their open sides directed outwardly (FIGURE 6). Two channel bars 43a are welded to strips 41 and 42 in parallel spaced relation to bars 43 with their open sides opposed to the open sides of the latter. Each pair of channel bars 43 and 43a slidably receives a scrap tray 44 of box like form open at its top and having a perforated bottom wall (FIGURE 7). The inner pair of channel bars 43 have angle strips 45 welded to their opposed faces. The strips 45 support a lower spray box 46 seating on the upper anges thereof and fitting snugly between the bars 43. The left end of box 46, as viewed in FIGURE 5, is spaced inward a short distance from the door opening and is provided, at its under face and adjacent each side thereof, with a headed button 47. When the box 46 is in its normal operative position, the heads of the buttons engage beneath the upper flanges of angle strips 45 effectively restraining that end of box 46 against upward movement. The scrap trays 44 are disposed opposite the door opening and spaced inward from the end flanges of the module or section 2. Two end channel bars 43h are welded to strips 41 and 42 with their web portions in abutting relation to the web portions of channel bars 43a. An end filler panel 48, of inverted channel cross section, is welded to each of the end channel bars 43h and is confined between the latter and the end flanges 24 and 26 of the walls 4 and 5. The panel 48 underlies, at its outer portion, the lower flange of an angle strip 49 welded to the inner face of a flat cross strip 50 extending between and secured at its ends to the end flanges 24 and 26 of the walls 4 and 5, respectively. The end panel or cover 48 is also restrained against upward movement by engagement of its lower flange beneath a tab (not shown) of strip 42. The end panels 48, scrap trays 44 and lower spray box 46 overlie the tank 27 and are disposed approximately midway between the upper and lower rail track sections 34. The scrap trays 44 and spray box 46 are at the lower portion of and opposite the door opening for ready accessibility.

The spray box 46 is formed of stainless steel and is of rectangular form both transversely and lengthwise. The top wall of box 46 is provided with acurately positioned openings punched therein. The punched openings receive plastic spray nozzles 53 of generally oblong shape in plan and each provided with a lengthwise spray slot, as shown in FIGURES 5 and. 7. The spray nozzle 53 is provided with an annular base ange 54 with a cylindrical extension or neck 55 (FIGURE 2a) which fits snugly through the corresponding opening in the top wall of spray box 46. FIGURE 2a is a fragmentary sectional view of an upper spray box 56, to be referred to more fully presently. It is of the same construction as box 46 and is provided with spray nozzles 53 the same as those of box 46 and mounted in the same manner, the only difference being that box 56 is inverted relative to box 46. Accordingly, reference may be had to FIGURE 2a for details of the spray nozzles and related -features not apearing in FIGURES 5 to 7, inclusive. The fianges 54 of the nozzles 53 seat upon the top wall of spray box4 46 and are riveted thereto at 57. Referring to FIGURE 7, the spray nozzles 53 of `box 56 are disposed in three rows lengthwise thereof. The slots of the two outer rows of nozzles 53 are disposed lengthwise of box 46 and the slots of the central row of nozzles 53 are disposed at a slight inclination-approximately -transversely of box 46. That arrangement of the nozzles assures complete coverage of the area above box 46 by the sprays of water or washing solution ejected from nozzles 53.

The end wall 59 of spray box 46 adjacent the door opening is provided with a central cylindrical opening. Such opening snugly receives a shouldered taper plug 60 secured on the inner end of a stern 61 threaded through the upwardly extending arm of a substantially L-shaped latch member 61a pivoted at its outer end, at 62, on a bracket 63 secured to and extending inwardly from bracket 40 (FIGURES 5, 6 and 6a). The other end wall 64 of spray box 46 is provided with a central elongated rectangular or oblong opening 65 which snugly receives the correspondingly formed and slightly tapered inner end of ange 66 of an adaptor 67 (FIGURE 2b). A sealing gasket -68 of rubber or other suitable compressi-ble material is mounted on an outwardly extending rib at the outer end or base of fiange 66. The `outer portion 69 of adaptor 67 is of cylindrical shape `interiorly and fits snugly about a fitting or collar 70 threaded tightly onto a flanged nipple 70a extending through an opening 71 in wall 4. The opening 71 is in register with an opening 72 in the inner wall 73 of a riser 74 mounted on the outer face of wall 4. The nipple 70a fits snugly through the openings 71 and 72 with its flange 7Gb seating on the outer face of inner wall 73 of riser 74. The inner end portion of fitting 70 is slightly tapered to facilitate its entry into portion 69 of adaptor 67 and it is provided adjacent such tapered portion with a circumferential groove 75 in which is mounted an O-sealing ring 76. The fitting 70 is further provided, adjacent its outer end, with a circumferential V-groove 77. The groove 77 receives the tapered inner ends of screws 78 threaded into the outer end portion 69 of adaptor 67. The screws 78 force the accurately finished outer end of adaptor 67 into contact with the inner face of wall 4, such movement of adaptor 67 thereby assuring a positive location between adaptor 67 and the wall 4. In mounting the lower spray box 46 the adaptor 67 is secured tightly on fitting 70 in such position that flange 66 is disposed horizontally lengthwise. With member 61 swung to its outer or releasing position, spray box 46 is slid inwardly along angle strips 45 until flange 66 of adaptor 67 has fully entered the opening in wall 64 so as to fit snugly therein. The latch member 61a (FIGURES 5 and 6a) is then turned to its operative position and stem 61 :is rotated, by means of its hand wheel 61b, so as to move stem 61 inwardly toward the adjacent end wall of spray box 46. In the continued inward movement of stem 61 the tapered plug 60 enters the opening in the end wall, properly centering that end of the box, after which the shoulder of the plug is moved into pressure contact with the end wall. The end wall 64 of box 46 is then forced into pressure contact with gasket 68, assuring a pressure resistant uid tight closure about the opening in that wall. The ange 66 of adaptor 67 then fits tightly in the oblong opening of end wall 64 of spray box 46 effectively restraining it against turning movement, as will appear more fully in connection with the upper spray box. Also, the shoulder of plug 60 is then in pressure contact with the corresponding end wall of box 46 assuring a fluid tight pressure resistant closure about the opening in that wall. The buttons 47 cooperate with the angle strips 45 effectively to prevent upward movement of the end of box 46 adjacent the door opening, during the pressure applying operation, upon completion of which the box 46 is tightly and accurately held properly positioned. When it is necessary or desired to remove box 46, the stern 61 is threaded outwardly until plug 60 will clear the adjacent end thereof, after which member 61a is swung outwardly to position permitting ready withdrawal of the box through the door opening, as indicated in boken lines in FIGURE 6a. With the member 61a in its outer position the box 46 may as readily be reinserted and secured in position, as will be understood.

The upper spray box 56 and the spray nozzles 53 thereof are the same as the lower spray box and nozzles, as above noted, and need not be further described. The end wall of box 56 adjacent wall 4 of the section 2 has a centrally located elongated rectangular or oblong opening which snugly receives the inner end flange 81 of an adaptor 82 the outer end of which receives snugly therein a tubular fitting or collar 83 threaded on a flanged nipple 83a extending through openings in wall 4 and the inner wall 73 of riser 74, as shown in FIGURE 2b and previously described in respect to spray box 46. As will be understood from the above, the flanged nipples 70a and 83a provide, in cooperation with the collars 70 and 83 tightly threaded thereon, means mounting the riser 74 on the outer face of wall 4.

The inner end of adaptor 82 is offset laterally relative to the outer end thereof and in a direction away from the lower spray box 46, is provided with an exterior bead or rib 86 adjacent flange 81 and a sealing gasket 87 encompassing bead 86. The flange 81 is of elongated rectangular or oblong shape and lits snugly in a corresponding opening in the adjacent end wall of box 56, such opening and flange 81 being disposed horizontally lengthwise, as shown in FIGURE 2c. The fitting 83 is provided with an inner circumferential groove which receives an O-sealing ring and with an outer circumferential groove 88 which receives the tapered ends of screws 78 threaded through the outer end portion of adaptor 82 for forcing the outer end thereof tightly against the inner face of wall 4, in the manner previously described in respect to adaptor 67 for the lower spray box 46. The spray nozzles 53 are mounted on the bottom wall of box 56 and are arranged similarly to the nozzles of the lower box 46. The upper face of the outer end portion of adaptor 82 is of substantial area and at and seats against the under face of a reinforcing channel member 80 secured to top wall 3 of section 2, at 89 (FIGURES 2c and 5), when box 56 is properly positioned upon the inner end of adaptor 82. A short rod or stem 90 (FIG- URE 5), provided with a hand wheel 91, is threaded through the downwardly extending arm of an angle bracket 92 secured to a reinforcing channel member 80 secured to the under side of top wall 3 of section 2, adjacent the door opening. The stem 90 is provided at its inner end with a shouldered tapered plug similar to the plug of stem 61 for the lower spray box 46. The end wall of spray box adjacent the door opening is provided with a central circular opening for reception yof the tapered plug, which has a snug lit in such opening. In mounting the upper spray box 56 it is positioned upon the inner end flange 81 of adaptor 82, as above described. The stem 90 is then threaded through bracket 92 toward box 56 so that the plug enters the opening in the adjacent end wall thereof. In the continued inward movement of stem 90 base flange of the plug is forced into pressure contact with the end wall of box 56. Further inward movement of stem 90 compresses the gasket 87 while assuring that the corresponding end wall of box S6 is fully positioned on adaptor 82. The box 56 is then tightly secured in operative position and the openings in the end walls thereof are effectively sealed. The seating of the flat upper outer end portion of adaptor 82 against the under face of member 80 effectively guards against turning thereof on the fitting 83. That, in cooperation with the close t of the elongated rectangular or oblong ange 81 in the corresponding end wall of box 56 effectively assures that the latter will be maintained in its proper horizontal position. The box 56y may be removed by threading stem 90 outward until the plug carried thereby is spaced an appropriate distance from the end wall of the box 56, which may then be moved toward the door opening and thereby completely withdrawn from ange 81 of adaptor 82. By reversing the operation, the box 56 may be as readily replaced.

Referring further to FIGURE 5 and to FIGURE 6, a door latch member 94 is pivotally suspended at its upper end, at 95, from the front liange of top wall 3, at about the midwidth of the door opening. Member 94 is provided at its lower end with two outwardly extending and upwardly opening hooks 96. When the door 1S is in fully or partially closed position, hooks 96 contact the inner face of door 15 and hold the lower end of member 94 in its normal inoperative position. If the door 15 is raised to position with its lower edge above hooks 96, member 94 swing outward, or may be swung outward manually, to position, with hooks 96 underlying the lower edge of door 15. The latter may then be lowered slightly to position seating in hooks 96 so as to be held open thereby. That gives ready access to the interior 0f the module or section for cleaning and removal and replacement of parts as desired or necessary. A gravity pawl latch member 97 is pivoted adjacent its inner end, at 98, on a bracket 99 secured to and extending downward from the upper track rail section 34 adjacent the door opening. When door 15 is in fully closed position, or approximately so, the outer end of member 97 contac'ts the inner face of door 15 thereby holding member 97 at an upward and outward inclination with its inner end underlying and spaced a short distance below the downwardly extending inner flange of track section 34. When door 15 is raised above the outer end of member 97 the latter drops to its operative position, indicated in broken lines, with its inner arm contacting the flange of track section 34 and the outer end portion of its outer arm underlying the door 15. The latter may then be lowered to its partially open position onto member 97 so as to be supported thereby. Such partially open position of door 15 gives access to the scrap trays 44 for readyv removal and cleaning thereof, which preferably should be done rather frequently. Also, with door 15 in its partially open position, access may be had to the lower spray box 46 for removal and replacement thereof if desired, though it is preferred to have door 15 fully opened for that purpose.

As shown in FIGURE 6 and previously mentioned, the upper spray box 56 is otfset relative to the lower spray box 46. That is desirable as extending the spray area through which the dishes and other articles being washed are passed, while also decreasing the possibility of interference between the sprays or jets of water or washing solution projected downwardly from the upper spray box 56 and those projected upwardly from the lower spray box 46.

Each of the modules or sections 2 is provided with a riser 74 secured to side wall 4 as above described and extending from the top of section 2 downwardly below the tank 27 and along the side of base frame 1, as shown in FIGURE 5. A motor-pump unit MP comprising an electric motor 102, a rotary impeller pump 103 driven thereby, a sump chamber 104, is mounted on base frame 1 and underlies tank 27. The sump chamber 104 opens through its top wall into the bottom of tank 27 and also opens into the impeller chamber of pump 103 for supplying thereto Water or detergent solution, as the case may be. Sump chamber 104 is also provided with a drain opening in its bottom wall and control means therefor. The control means comprises a vertically adjustable tube extending from chamber 104 into tank 27, means for optionally raising and lowering the tube, and valve means carried by the tube and effective in the lowered position of the latter for closing the drain opening to the interior of chamber 4. When the tube is in its lowered position it extends upwardly into tank 27 to the normal liquid level therein, and is then elfective for draining excess liquid olf from the tank, thereby maintaining a predetermined liquid level in tank 27. When the tube is moved to its upper or raised position the drain opening communicates directly with the interior of chamber 104 and is then effective for draining liquid therefrom as well as from tank 27, the pump 103 and riser 74. The above described motor-pump unit is similar to that disclosed in Patent 3,108,607 issued Oct. 29, 1963, to David G. Blakeslee. It is not, per se, part of my present invention. In its broader aspects my invention comprehends the use of any suitable unit, for supplying liquid under appropriate pressure from tank 27 to riser 74 while also providing means for draining off excess liquid from tank 27 and for draining the latter and the pump and riser, as may be required.

Referring further to FIGURE 5, the discharge of pump 103 is connected by a short nipple 105 to the lower end of riser 74 and the intake of pump 103 opens directly into sump chamber 104 through one side thereof, as previously noted. The washing solution or water, as the case may be, ows from tank 27 into sump chamber 104 and thence into pump 103 from which it is delivered under substantial pressure to the riser 74. The liquid ows from the riser 74 into the upper and the lower spray boxes 56 and 46, respectively, from which it is projected through the spray nozzles 53, such discharged liquid being returned to the tank 27.

The cylindrical extensions or necks 55 of the spray nozzles 53 are provided with slots or notches 106 (FIG- URE 20!) which extend to the inner face of the corresponding spray box wall. As will be understood, the notches 106 of spray nozzles 53 of upper spray box 56 extend to the upper face of the bottom wall of that box. The lower spray box 46 is provided in its lower wall with a restricted drain opening 107 effective for draining liquid from box 46 when the pump 103 is stopped while avoiding any objectionable reduction in pressure when the pump 103 is in operation. The bottom drainage opening of the sump chamber is connected to a waste pipe or conduit (not shown) extending along one side of base frame 1 below riser 74. Suitable piping or conduits are provided for supplying water to tank 27 as may be required, and suitable means is also provided for heating the contents of tank 27. Such water supply and heating means are conventional, are omitted for clearness of illustration, and need not be shown nor described in greater detail. When the machine is not to be used or is stopped for cleaning or other purposes, the pump 103 is stopped, the bottom drain opening of sump chamber 104 is opened and the liquid is drained from the system, the upper spray box 56 being drained through the spray nozzles 53 and the slotted or notched extensions 55 thereof.

FIGURES l, 2, 5, 6` and 7 show a flight conveyor type of dish washer the main or body portion of which is formed of similar modules or sections 2 in accordance with my invention. The sections 2 are disposed in accurate alignment endwise with the end walls and flanges thereof in contact, except at the outer ends of the end sections. The contacting ends of the sections 2 are secured together by spot welding the end flanges and the top edge portions of the end walls 7 of the tanks 27 together. The welded joints are sealed Water tight by channel strips 109 tting tightly over the end flanges 23, 24 and 26 and the upper edge portions of the end tank walls 7 (FIGURES 5, 6 and 7) and cemented thereto. The channel strips 109 and the weld joined iianges provide a rigid and liquid tight connection between the contacting ends of sections 2. The latter are then xedly secured together in accurate alignment and provide an open ended tunnel or housing of desired length. In the machine shown by way of illustration the main or body portion thereof is formed of three similar sections 2. Considering such sections, from left to right in FIGURE 1, the first may be the preliminary wash section, the second the main wash section and the third a rinse section. The tanks 27 of the first and second sections would contain a Wash o1' detergent solution and that of the third section would contain rinse water. Also, final rinse means, of conventional type, for rinsing the washed articles with clear hot water, may be provided adjacent the outlet end of the third section 2. In practice, ribbon type curtains are mounted in the ends of the sections, such curtains being held by spring clips on cross rods removably supported by brackets secured in the upper end corners of the sections 2. Similar curtains are also mounted at the inlet end of the :first section and the outlet end of the last section. Such curtains separate the spray areas in the body of the machine and prevent objectionable splashing at the ends thereof. Curtains of the type referred to are conventional and need not be illustrated nor described in greater detail. They have been omitted in the interests of clearer illustration. As will be understood, in the ight conveyor machine shown the drainage openings of the sump chambers 104 of the several motor-pump units MP are connected to a common Waste pipe. Also, the base frame 1 of the respective sections 2 is provided at each end thereof with adjustable legs of conventional type for accurately leveling up of the machine, as may be required. When a plurality of modules 2 are secured together end to end, as above described, two of the adjustable legs 110 at one end of one of two abutting sections are not necessary and may be omitted, but have been shown for purposes of illustration.

A housing 113, mounted at the outer end of one of the sections 2, encloses a rotatably mounted shaft 113 having sprocket wheels 11S secured thereon (FIGURE 1). The housing 113 is of conventional type and requires no detail description. A drive unit comprising a housing 117 and a base frame 11S is mounted at the other end of the body portion of the machine, it being assumed that the upper run of the conveyor of the machine of FIGURE l travels from left to right. Brackets 119 are secured by substantially U-shaped brackets 120 to the inner faces of side Walls 121 of housing 117 in spaced relation thereto, as shown more clearly in FIGURES 13 to 16. Upper and lower track sections 122, similar to and accurately aligned with the track sections 34 of the adjacent end module 2, are secured to the inner faces of brackets 119. An outer cross rod 123 is rockably mounted in channel members 124 secured to the inner faces of brackets 119. The rod 123 normally is held in a clockwise position by tension springs 125 anchored to the upper ends of pins 126 secured through rod 123, the lower ends of pins 126 then contacting lower stops 127 secured to the channel members 124. Turning of shaft counterclockwise, in opposition to springs 125, is limited by upper stops 128 secured to the channel members 124. Eccentric cams 129, secured on cross rod 123, are disposed to contact the inner ends of trip arms 130 of inverted channel cross section pivoted at their outer ends, at 131, on plates 132 secured to brackets 119 at the inner faces thereof. An angle finger 133, fixed to arms 130, extends therefrom outwardly through an opening 134 in bracket 119. Finger 133 loosely receives in its outer portion a reduced neck 135 extending from the upper end of a switch rod 136. The latter extends downwardly through a cylindrical sleeve 137 welded to bottom wall 138 of housing 117. A flexible cover or boot 139, formed of rubber or analogous material, is secured about the upper end of sleeve 137 about rod 136, providing a liquid tight closure and seal thereabout. Rod 136 extends from sleeve 137 downward through wall 138 and through a bracket assembly comprising a substantially flat member 140 secured to the under face of wall 138 and a substantially U-shaped member 141 secured to the under face of member 140 and extending a material distance downward therefrom. The members 140 and 141 are provided with vertically aligned openings which snugly receive the lower portion -of rod for guiding it during vertical movement thereof. A compression spring 142 is disposed about the lower portion of rod 136 and is confined between the bottom of member 141 and a cross pin 143 secured through rod 136. Spring 142 yieldingly holds rod 136 in a normal raised position, as will be understood. In the normal raised position of rod 136 the lower end thereof is closely adjacent a button or actuating member of a normally open switch 143, of suitable known type, mounted on a bracket 144 secured to the assembly comprising members 140 and 141. Closing of the switch 143 actuates suitable lknown means for stopping the conveyor of the machine in the event of au emergency, to be referred to more fully later. In the normal position of cross rod 123 cam 1229 is so disposed that the inner end of trip arm 130 is held in its raised position by the shoulder adjacent the upper end of rod 136 in contact with the under face of the angle linger 133.

Referring further to FIGURES 13 toi 16, a plurality of uniformly spaced trip lingers 147 are welded to the cross rod 123. Each finger comprises an upwardly and inwardly inclined portion 148 of substantially elongated inverted U-shape, a substantially V-shaped element 149 and a straight element 150 extending outwardly from the outer arm of element 149. The trip lingers 147 are so disposed as to extend between the rows or llights of the upper run of an endless conveyor which moves the dishes and other articles through the machine from the feed end to the delivery end thereof, as will be explained more fully presently.

A second cross rod 153, spaced inwardly from and parallel with cross rod 12S, is rockably mounted in plates 132 secured to the inner faces of the main brackets 119, with its ends extending through brackets 119. Trip arms 155 are fixed on the ends of rod 153 and extend upwardly and outwardly therefrom. The upper ends of arms 155 are connected by a cross strip 156 shaped as shown and overlying notches 157 in the upper edges of arms 158 extending outward from brackets 119. The outer edge portion of cross strip 156 is inserted in slots in arms 15S to which the ends of strip 156 are suitably secured, conveniently by screws 159. The arms 155 are respectively provided at their lower edges with an outwardly extending flange 160 to the under face of which is secured a substantially ilattened V-shaped stirrup 161. The stirrups 161 rest upon rounded tip members 162, similar to an acorn nut, fixed upon the upper ends of necks 135 of rods 136 and spaced from the shoulders of the latter. The arms 155 and cross strip 156 together constitute a trip yoke 165, which yoke and the trip arms 130 are normally held in raised position by the rods 136. In the normal raised position of the yoke, the outer end portion thereof bearing cross strip 156 is spaced a short distance above the upper surface of the upper run of the conveyor and extends the full width thereof. Upward movement of the outer end of the yoke is limited by stops 163 secured by screws 164 to the main brackets 119, and downward movement thereof is limited by the cross strip 156 contacting the bracket arms 158 at the bottom of notches 157 therein.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 14, two sprocket wheels 167 are secured upon a cross shaft 168 rotatably mounted in arms 169 secured to and extending outwardly from the main brackets 119. The sprocket wheels 167 are disposed adjacent the outer faces of arms 169 and a third sprocket wheel 170 (FIGURE 1), which is a drive sprocket, is secured on shaft 168 adjacent the outer face of one of the arms 169. A sprocket chain 171 is led about the sprocket 170K and a sprocket pinion 172 secured on the drive shaft of a speed reducer 173 mounted on base frame 118 and driven by an electric motor 174 also mounted on the base frame. As will be understood, suitable motor controls are provided, as usual, and suitable known means actuated by the switches 143 is also provided for stopping motor 174 in case of an emergency.

The conveyor C of the machine shown in FIGURES l, 2, to 7, and 13 to 16, is similar to that disclosed in my Patent No. 3,086,641, issued Apr. 23, 1963, and a brief description thereof will suffice. It comprises side chains 175 connected by cross rods 176 on the end portions of which are mounted rollers 177 which travel along the tread flanges of the rail track sections 34 and of the sections 122 in housing 117. The sprockets 115 and 167 -are provided with recesses or notches disposed to receive rollers 177. The drive ysprockets 167 are driven in clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 1, and the upper run of conveyor C travels from left to right. The tread llanges of the track sections 122 in housing 117 are split from the upper flanges thereof and inclined at 178 toward the sprocket wheels 167 so as to direct the rollers 177 onto the latter. The cross rods 176 of conveyor C are connected by liights or links 179 of substantially U-shape extending inwardly betwen the runs of the conveyor and each having a central outwardly extending linger 180. Disposing the the links 179 between the runs of the conveyor substantially reduces the overall height thereof, compared to the peg type of conveyor previously mentioned, while providing adequate clearances. As a result the distance of the upper face of the upper run of the conveyor from the floor may be the same as the standard height, thirtyfour inches, of the tables used with restaurant or commercial dishwashing machines. A further advantage of the inwardly extending links is that the upper run of the conveyor provides a substantially flat and unobstructed surface upon which baskets or racks containing the smaller articles to be washed may readily be placed, it being noted that the lingers 180 of the links 179 are within the height thereof.

In practice the articles to be washed are placed upon a table of standard thirty-four inch height disposed adjacent the feed end of the machine. The operator may slide the articles from the table onto a stacking shelf 183, at the outer end of housing 113 and -at the same height as the table. The plates and other articles of liat ware are inserted edgewise and transversely of the upper run of the conveyor into the links 179 of the upper run thereof whilethe latter is traveling toward the delivery end of the machine. The smaller articles such as cups, glasses, cutlery, and the like are placed in open work baskets or racks which are set upon the upper run of the conveyor. During travel of the articles through the machine they are first subjected to a preliminary washing operation in jets or sprays projected from the upper spray box 56 and from the lower spray box, the latter located between the runs of the conveyor as shown in FIGURE 6. The articles then pass into the second section 2 in which they are subjected to a second washing operation by detergent solution projected from the upper and lower spray boxes and then pass through the third section 2 in which -they are subjected to a third and rising operation in Water projected from the spray boxes in that section. The third section 2 preferably is provided, adjacent its outlet end, with conventional pumped rinse as well as linal rinse means comprising upper and lower spray pipes from which pure water at a temperature not less than 180 F. is projected onto the washed articles. The nal rinse means is conventional, requires no detail description, and has been omitted for clearness of illustration.

An operator at the exit or delivery end of the machine removes the Washed and rinsed articles from the conveyor, during continued travel thereof, and places them upon a stacking shelf at the outer end of housing 117, from which shelf the articles may be removed to an adjacent table of standard height.

The body or U-shaped portions 148 of the trip lingers 147 extend between the body portions of the rows of links 179 at the upper run of the conveyor C (FIGURE 16). The plates and other flatware articles extend transversely and downwardly of the upper run of the conveyor. The articles should be removed from the conveyor before Ithey reach the inclined portions 178 of track sections 122. In the event a piece of flatware is not removed from the upper run of the conveyor in good time, in the continued travel of the conveyor it will contact one or more of the -trip lingers 147 thereby turning cross rod 123 in counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 16. When that occurs the rods 136 will be moved downwardly, thereby stopping the conveyor in the manner previously described. When the article contacting the trip finger 147 is removed from the conveyor, the rods 136 will be restored to their normal raised position and operation of the conveyor resumed. The outward extensions 150 of trip fingers 147 guard against possibility of Iarticles being accidently dropped into the housing 117 and becoming lodged therein in a position preventing operation of trip lingers 147 and consequent possible breakage of or damage to the dishes. As previously noted, when the trip yoke 165 is in its normal raised position, the outer portion thereof extends above the upper run of the conveyor and the stacking `shelf 185 (FIGURES 1 and 16). In the event a basket or rack of washed and rinsed small articles is not removed from the upper run of the conveyor in good time, it will contact and depress the outer end portion of yoke 165. That will swing the yoke 165 in counterclockwise direction about the axis of cross rod 153 thereby depressing rods 136 and stopping the conveyor. Upon removal of the rack the yoke is returned to normal positionand operation of the conveyor resumed. The trip lingers 147 and trip yoke 165 and associated parts thus provide means for stopping the conveyor in the event an article is not removed therefrom in good time while not interfering with its normal and intended continuous operation.

In the preceding description of the flight conveyor machine itis assumed that the upper run of the conveyor travels from left to right at the machine is viewed in FIGURE 1. In practice it may sometimes be desirable to have the conveyor travel in the opposite direction, due to the location of the machine, available space and other factors. In a machine in which the upper run of the conveyor travels from right to left, the positions of the drive means, the conveyor emergency stop means and the rinse means will be reversed relative to FIGURE l. That is to say the drive means, the emergency stop means and the rinse means will be at the left end of the machine as viewed in FIGURE l. The construction and operation of the machine will be otherwise the same as in the machine shown in FIGURE 1, as will be understood from the foregoing.

FIGURES 3, 4, 8, 8a, 9 and 17 to 20 show a rack conveyor type of dishwashing machine embodying my invention. The main or body portion of the machine is formed of three modules or sections 22 constructed and secured together endwise in the same manner as in the light conveyor type of machine. A substantially U-shaped cradle 187 is pivoted at its upper end, adjacent each open end of the body portion of the machine of FIGURE 3, on hangers 188 secured by screws 186 to the top walls 3 of the two end sections 2 and 2a. The cradle 187 cornprises side arms 189 in the form of flat strips, connected at their lower ends by a cross bar 190 secured thereto. A short cylindrical boss 191 is welded to the upper end of each arm 189 and extends into the adjacent hanger 188. Each boss 191 is bored and tapped from its outer end and receives therein a screw 193 which passes through a washer 194 which is conlined between the head of screw 193 and the outer face of hanger 188. The inner arm 189 of cradle 187 extends downward between side wall 4 of section 2a and upper track section 34a adjacent that wall and outer arm 189 extends downward between the opposite upper track section 34a and the door opening. By disconnecting the cradle 187 from the operating means to be described, and by removing the screws 186 and track sections 34a (FIGURE 9), the cradle 187, with the hangers 188 may readily be removed through the door opening, and may as readily be replaced. The cross bar 190 is disposed an appreciable distance below the track sections 34.

Referring to FIGURES 3, 8, and 9, a pawl bar 197 is mounted on the cross bars 190 of the cradles 187, centrally thereof, with its ends spaced inwardly a short dtstance from the open ends of body or housing. The bar 197 is supported by two brackets 198 of elongated inverted U-shape each having at its midlength an upwardly extending linger 199 which is slotted from its upper end and snugly receives the bar 197 which is secured in linger 199. The downwardly extending arms 200 of brackets 198 are provided in their lower ends with arcuate recesses and seat snugly about the upper portion of the respective cross bars 190. The cradle 187 nearer the right end of the machine of FIGURE 3 is provided, at the midlength of its cross bar 190, with a positioning member or saddle 201 (FIGURE 18) fitting about the upper portion of and secured to bar 190. The saddle 201 lits snugly between the downwardly extending arms 200 of bracket 198 and holds it accurately positioned at the midlength of bar 190. A connecting member 202 (FIGURES 8 and 9) of inverted channel cross section fits snugly over the midportion of cross bar 190 of the other cradle 187 and between the downwardly extending arms of bracket 198. A screw 203 is secured in the inner arm of member 202 and extends into a short circumferential groove 204 in cross bar 190. The channel member 202 positions bracket 198 on cross bar 190 at the midlength thereof and has limited turning movement thereabout, for a purpose to be explained presently.

The lower portion of the outer end of section 2a of the rack conveyor machine is closed by an end sheet 207 (FIGURE 8) secured to end lianges 23 and end wall 7 of tank 27 (FIGURES 5 and 6). The top of sheet 207 is disposed a short distance below the tread lianges of the upper rail track section 34a, it being noted that the lower track sections are not used in the machine of FIGURE 3 and are accordingly omitted. As will be understood a second end sheet, similar to sheet 207, is secured to the outer end of the right hand section 2 of the machine of FIGURE 3. A housing 208 is secured to end sheet 207 and contains an electric motor 209 and a speed reducing unit 210 driven thereby. The speed reducing unit 210 is of conventional type and has a crank arm 211 attached to its drive shaft 212 by slip clutch means 213 of suitable type. The outer end of arm 211 is pivoted at 214 to one end of a link 315 pivoted at its other end, at 216, in the forked lower end of a rocker arm 217 pivoted at its midlength, at 218, in a bracket 219 mounted on end sheet 207 and on a base member 220 secured to the end of section 2a and also supporting the motorreducer unit 209410. The forked upper end of rocker arm 217 is pivoted, at 221, to the outer end of an operating rod 222. The rod 222 passes through an opening in sheet 207 and a splash guard element 223:1 of a cover plate 223 secured on the inner face of end sheet 207. The plate 223 is rectangular and is provided at its top and side edges with an outwardly oliset ange welded to sheet 207, so that the lower edge of plate 223 is spaced inwardly from sheet 207. A downwardly and inwardly inclined drip trough 224 is welded to the outer face of sheet 207 over the opening in the latter. Trough 224 extends through the forked upper end of arm 217 and under links pivot 221 and the outer portion of rod 222. As will be understood, trough 224 is effective for collecting drip from rod 222 and returning it to the interior of the machine. The inner end of rod 222 is secured to the liange of the channel connecting member 202. Suitable motor controls are mounted in a control box 225 (FIGURE 3) mounted on the other end of the machine, it being understood that a similar motor control box, not shown, is also provided at the delivery end of the flight conveyor type of machine of FIGURE 1, as is usual.

The pawl bar 197 is provided with a plurality of substantially triangular pawls 227 slotted from their upper ends and extending about and pivoted on bar 197, at 228, for relative swinging movement. The base portions of pawls 227 are disposed beneath bar 197 and the slot teriminate short of the normally vertical edges of the pawls providing weight and stop elements 229 at one lower corner thereof. An open work basket or rack 230, indicated in broken lines in FIGURES 3 and 8, containing articles to be washed, is placed upon the tread lianges 3S of the rail sections 34a. The rail sections 34a are substantially the same as the rail sections 34 in the iiight conveyor machine except that the track tianges 35 are located slightly higher. In the ght conveyor machine, the upper run of the conveyor is spaced, by the rollers 177, a short distance above the track flanges 35 of the upper rail sections 34. In the rack conveyor machine the rail sections 34a are so formed that when the sections are mounted in the supporting brackets 30 the track flanges 35 thereof are disposed at the standard iioor height of thirty-four inches. The rack 230, which is slidable on the track flanges 35 of rail sections is of conventional type. It is provided at the center of its bottom with a transverse ladder structure 231 comprising a plurality of spaced rungs extending lengthwise of rack 230. The height at which the rack 230 is disposed is such that the rungs of the ladder structure 231 will be engaged by the pawls 227 during travel of the pawl bar 197 in one direction, effective for propelling rack 230 step by step along the rail sections 34a.

During operation of the speed reducer 210 the pawl bar 197 is reciprocated lengthwise and is raised and lowered slightly due to the'swinging of the cradles 187 through arcs of substantial radius. Also, the channel member 262 turns slightly about its associated cross lbar 190, as will be understood. In the movement of pawl bar 197 toward the right, as viewed in FIGURE 8, the upper end of one of the pawls engages one of the rungs of the ladder structure 231 and pushes rack 230 along the track 34a a distance corresponding to the length of the stroke of bar 197, the pawl being then restrained against turning beyond vertical position by contact of element 229 with the lower edge of bar 197. In the reverse stroke of bar 197 a succeeding pawl thereof is tilted in clockwise direction and passes beneath the ladder structure toward the left and then swings to vertical position so as to contact another rung of the ladder structure and move the rack 230 a further distance toward the right in the succeeding stroke of bar 197. In that manner the rack 230 is moved step by step through the machine and during its travel the articles therein are subjected to washing and rinsing operations by sprays projected from the upper and lower spray boxes 56 and 46, in the manner previously described. The rack 230 is shown in FIGURE 3 as being of a length approximating the space between two successive pawls 227, by way of example, but it may be of any desired length, withiu limits. The pawl bar 197 may readily be reversed, by raising it, with the attached brackets 19S, from the cross bars 190, and turning and replacing the same, so that the racks 230 are fed through the machine from right to left (FIGURE 8a). That is desirable in some cases due to the location of the machine or for other reasons.

In the machine of FIGURES 3 and 8 it is assumed that the racks 230 travel from left to right. Accordingly, nal rinse means is provided at the right hand end of the machine. Referring to FIGURES 17 to 20, the tread ange of one of the rail sections is provided with an opening 233 through which extends an upwardly arched treadle strip 234 of an inwardly extending arm 235 of an angle lever 236 pivoted at 237 on the downwardly extending lower flange of rail track section 34a. The downwardly extending outer arm 238 of lever 236 contacts an acorn nut 239a adjustable on the inner end of a switch rod 239 slidably mounted in a guide member 240 mounted on the inner face of an end sheet 207a similar to end sheet 207, secured to the outer end ofthe right end section 2 and having an outwardly extending flange 241 at its upper edge. The rod 239 normally is held in its inner retracted position lby a compression spring 242 confined between the inner face of end sheet 20751 and an abutment 243 secured on rod 239, arm 235 of lever 236 being then restrained against upward movement by the tread flange of rail track section 34a. The outer end of rod 239 is provided with a head 244 disposed to contact a button 245 of a switch 246 mounted on and controlling the solenoid valve 247. The switch 246 and valve 247 are of suitable known type and are mounted on a bracket 248 having a ange 249 seating on the outer face of sheet 207a and secured thereto by screws 250 passing therethrough and through sheet 207:1 and threaded into base flange 251 of guide member 240 effective for securing the latter in position. The solenoid valve 247 controls communication between a rinse water supply pipe 251 and a pipe 252 connected to a junctlon box 253 mounted on the inner face of wall 4 adjacent the top thereof. An upper spray pipe 254 extends from box 253 transversely of section 2 adjacent the top thereof. A lower spray pipe 255 extends downwardly from junction box 253 and transversely of section 2 a short distance below the track rail sections 34a. The spray pipes 254 and 255 are provided with spray nozzles 256 disposed to direct sprays of hot rinse water downwardly and upwardly onto the washed articles. A curtain of suitable type, previously mentioned, is provided at the delivery or right hand end of the' machine, outwardly of the spray pipes 254 and 255. When a rack 230 of washed aritcles reaches the delivery end of the machine, it depresses treadle strip 234 and arm 235 of lever 236 thereby energizing solenoid valve 247 effective for supplying hot rinse water to the final spray pipes 254 and 255. If the pawl bar 197 is reversed, so that the racks are moved through the machine of FIGURE 3 from right to left, the final rinse means will be located at the left end of the machine, as will be understood.

The tight conveyor type and the pawl bar rack conveyor type of dishwashing machines above described may be produced at comparatively high speed and low cost by using the similar modules or sections 2 of my invention. As will be understood the modules may be varied in size without sacrificing the advantages to be derived from the use of standardized units which may be assembled to produce machines of different lengths or widths, asfmay be desired. In that connection, the rst module or section 2a of the machine shown in FIGURE 3 is of appreciably less length than the other two modules 2 but otherwise similar to them. Also, one or more of the modules of my invention may be used as the basis of a stationary rack or door type of dishwashing machine. In the stationary rack machine, as in the rack conveyor machine, upper rail track sections 34a only are used and lower rail track sections may be omitted.

It will be understood that variations in detail may be made without departing from the field and scope of my invention, and I intend to include all such variations, asv

fall within the scope of the appended claims, in this application in which the preferred forms only of my invention have been disclosed.

I claim:

1. In a dishwashing machine including a plurality of similar open ended modules secured together end to end and respectively having an upper body portion and an underlying tank, track sections in the modules, conveyor means for moving articles to be washed along the track sectionsthrough the modules, upper and lower spray means in the modules, and means for supplying liquid under pressure from the tanks to the spray means, the improvement characterized by said pressure liquid supplying means comprising a riser mounted on one side wall of the respective modules, and said spray means comprising upper and lower spray boxes having top and bottom and side and inner and outer end walls, the inner end wall of the respective spray boxes having a substantially rectangular opening therein, upper and lower adaptors opening at their outer ends into said riser through said side wall and having inner end portions fitting tightly in said inner end wall openings of said boxes, and means adjacent the outer end wall of said boxes elective for urging the latter toward said adaptors and restraining them against outward movement.

2. In a dishwashing machine including a plurality of similar open ended modules secured together end to end and respectively having an upper body portion and an underlying tank, upper and lower track sections in the modules, a motor driven endless conveyor having upper and lower runs travelling on the track sections and sub stantially U-shaped dish receiving links extending inwardly between the runs with the upper run of the conveyor travelling from the loading end to the unloading end of the machine, upper and lower spray means in the modules, and means for supplying liquid under pressure from the tanks to the spray means, the improvement which is characterized by conveyor emergency stop means provided at the unloading end of the conveyor, said stop means comprising dish actuatable members extending between the links of the upper run of the conveyor and disposed below the upper face of said upper run and rack actuatable means disposed outwardly beyond said dish actuated members and extending above the upper face of the upper run of the conveyor in the path of travel of a rack on said upper run.

3. In a dishwashing m-achine including a plurality of similar open ended modules secured together end to end and respectively having an upper body portion and an underlying tank, track sections in the modules, conveyor means for moving articles to be washed along the track sections through the modules, upper and lower spray means in the modules, and means for supplying liquid under pressure from the tanks to the spray means, the improvement in which said conveyor means comprises a pawl bar disposed substantially centrally of said modules transversely thereof and parallel with said track sections, normally vertical pawls are pivoted on said bar and spaced apart lengthwise thereof, said pawls being of a height to extend above said bar and track sections when in their normal vertical position, means eiective for normally holding said pawls in their normal vertical position and against turning movement in one direction while accommodating turning movement thereof in the opposite direction, means for supporting said bar for lengthwise reciprocation, means for reciprocating said bar, said bar supporting means comprises two spaced apart substantially U-shaped cradles respectively comprising two side arms pivoted at their upper ends in said modules and extending downward between the side walls thereof and said track sections and connected at their lower ends by a cross bar disposed below said track sections, and said pawl bar is provided with two brackets of substantially inverted U-shape seating on said cross bars centrally thereof and otherwise free therefrom whereby said pawl bar may be lifted from said cross bars for ready reversal of its position endwise thereon.

4. In a dishwashing machine including a plurality of similar open ended modules secured together end to end and respectively having an upper body portion and an underlying tank, track sections in the modules, a pawl bar disposed substantially centrally of said modules transversely thereof and parallel with the track sections, normally vertical pawls pivoted on the bar and spaced apart lengthwise thereof, the pawls being of a height to eX tend above the bar and track sections when in their normal vertical position, means effective for normally holding the pawls in their normal vertical position and against turning movement in one direction while accommodating turning movement thereof in the opposite direction, means supporting the bar for lengthwise reciprocation, means for reciprocating the bar whereby an article-containing rack resting on the track sections is moved therealong from one end toward the other end thereof by the pawls, upper and lower spray means in the modules, and means for supplying liquid under pressure from the tanks to the spray means, the improvement characterized by the provision of final rinse means adjacent said other end of said track sections and of means actuated by a rack approaching said other end of said track sections and effective for activating said final rinse means, said track sections having track flanges along which said rack is moved and said rack actuated means comprising a pivoted angle lever having an upper arm underlying and extending inwardly along one of Said track anges and a downwardly extending outer arm, said one track flange having an opening therein, a slidably mounted switch operating rod having its inner end contacting said outer arm, means yieldably urging said rod inward effective for holding said angle lever in normal position with its said upper arm in abutting relation to the under face of said one track iange, an arcuate treadle strip attached to said upper of said lever and extending upwardly through said opening in the normal position of said lever, .and a normally open switch adjacent the outer end of said rod and closed thereby incident to outward movement thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,512,918 10/1924 Forsgard 134-46 1,624,026 4/ 1927 Utz 134-46 XR 2,017,677 10/1935 Webb 134-131 2,029,563 2/ 1936 Elkington 134-165 XR 2,644,473 7/1953 Fox et al 134--46 XR 2,947,311 8/1960 Fox et al 134--72 XR 3,310,150 3/1967 Southard 134-48 XR 261,715 7/1882 Hopkins 198--221 XR 1,204,309 11/ 1916 Peterson 239-550 XR 2,082,458 6/1937 McClatchie 134-49 2,325,0084 7/1943 Gruen Z39-597 2,633,399 3/1953 Haas 134-165 XR 2,665,946 1/ 1954 Broughton 239--600 XR 2,915,773 12/1959 Whelan 134-52 XR 3,086,641 4/ 1963 Cumming 198--131 FOREIGN PATENTS 966,695 3/ 1950 France. 410,209 5 1934- Great Britain. 831,608 3/ 1960 Great Britain.

ROBERT L. BLEUTGE, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

